A Good Name

Kitchen Orchid
Orchid blooming on the window sill.

I have several orchids in my kitchen and love the blooms that go on for weeks at a time. This orchid has been in bloom for over six weeks! It is a big leaf orchid. It has a big name, phalaenopsis.

"It was very cold that day when we were loaded into the wagons. None of us wanted to go and our parents didn't want to let us go. Oh, we cried for this was the first time we were to be separated from our parents. I remember looking back at Na-tah-ki and she was crying too. Nobody waved as the wagons, escorted by the soldiers, took us toward the school at Fort Shaw. Once there our belongings were taken from us, even the little medicine bags our mothers had given to us to protect us from harm. Everything was placed in a heap and set afire. Next was the long hair, the pride of all the Indians. The boys, one by one, would break down and cry when they saw their braids thrown on the floor. All of the buckskin clothes had to go and we had to put on the clothes of the White Man." . . . all with the goal of making followers of Christ. The above story was found while I browsed Blogs here at Blogger. Check out the website and read the thoughts of Jennifer at "the idle rambling thoughts of an abstract thinker". I am always saddened when I read "making followers of Christ" related to stories like this. For someone to put on Jesus Christ's good name the wrongs they themselves, as individuals or by group effort, inflict on the peoples they are ----- helping/saving/civilizing. "Love for one another" is the distinct character that should be evident in people that know Jesus Christ. Invasion-like stories are found not only with Indians here in USA, but all peoples have stories similar to this. They are sad to read. Injustice will be dealt with when God, someday, makes all things right. I believe that Jesus Christ was "obedient even unto death" to extend His love for, His care of and His salvation to mankind through His shed blood. His wonderful Name has been shamed by many of man's agendas throughout the centuries. Instead of extending His love, care and salvation, many that claimed to know God and were bringing Jesus Christ to their culture, hurt the people God died for! Stories like this display openly the spiritual battle that has been raging unseen, throughout the ages. It has given Jesus Christ a bad name. I've seen the disgust that those being hurt --by being helped --have for the Gospel. For the moment Evil seems to have triumphed by the hurts inflicted on Indians or Others by "Christians" attempting to make "followers of Jesus Christ". Misguided men/women have created deep wounds that won't seem to heal even with time. Yet, God also says... none are without excuse. He has displayed His goodness in Creation and if we truely seek Him, He can be found. No matter if we have been mistreated. Something I've recently read:
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned... ...God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:7-8,10 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 GOD IS GOOD! Man is not so very good.... that's why we need Jesus Christ! Pass the Word around! Be sure and visit the above website.